COURSE CATALOG 2014–2015 PERSONAL n PRACTICAL n PREPARED TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 College Calendar 4 President’s Message 5 Mission Statement 6 History of Mitchell College 7 Admission to Mitchell College 11 Financial Aid at Mitchell College 19 Tuition & Fees 24 Student Affairs 28 Athletics 29 General Information 33 Campus Information 35 Directions to Mitchell College 36 Academic Information and Standards 39 Definition of Terms 41 Adult and Returning Students 42 Academic Policies and Procedures 53 Requirements for a Mitchell College Degree 56 Academic Support Services 59 Library and Information Services 61 First-Year Experience 63 Programs and Degree Offerings 112 Course Descriptions 171 Board of Trustees 172 Faculty & Staff Directory 180 Index 182 Accreditation Statement This Course Catalog attempts to present information as accurately and completely as possible. Mitchell College reserves the right to change any of the provisions, statements, policies, curricula, procedures and regulations found in this Course Catalog. 2 COLLEGE CALENDAR 2014–2015 FALL 2014 SEMESTER WINTER 2015 SEMESTER August January 29 New Students Move-In/Check-In 5–17 Winter Session - MiniMester Orientation Welcome 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Classes, 31 Returning Students Move-In/Check-In College Offices Closed September 1 Labor Day - No Classes, College Offices SPRING 2015 Semester Closed 2 First Day of Classes, Add/Drop Begins January 9 Add/Drop Ends 21 All Students Move In/Check In 10 Founder’s Day 22 First Day of Classes - Add/Drop Begins 7 1 Constitution Day 29 Add/Drop Ends 29 Early Academic Reports Due to Registrar February 16 Early Academic Reports Due to Registrar October 16 Presidents’ Day - No Classes, College 13 Columbus Day - No Classes Offices Closed 13 Admissions Fall Open House March 6 Last Day of Classes Before Spring Break 20 Mid-term Grades Due to Registrar 7–15 Spring Break Week - No Classes 9 Mid-term Grades Due to Registrar 28 President’s Reception for Accepted November Students 2 Admissions Fall Open House April 10 Pre-Registration Begins 6 Pre-Registration Begins 11 Commemorative Academic & Campus 10 Last Day to Withdraw from a Class Program 15 Admissions Academic Open House 14 Last Day to Withdraw from a Class 17 Pre-Registration Ends 21 Pre-Registration Ends 25 President’s Reception for Accepted 21 Last Day of Classes Before Thanksgiving Students Break - Residence Halls Close 29 Academic & Student Affairs Awards 2 2 Thanksgiving Break Begins - No Classes Ceremony, 1:00 p.m. May December 3 Admissions Spring Open House 1 Classes Resume 5 Last Day of Classes Before Finals 12 Last Day of Classes Before Finals 6–12 Final Examination Period 13-19 Final Examination Period 13 Graduates’ Grades Due to Registrar 22 Grades Due to Registrar 16 71st Commencement, 10:00 a.m. 3 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A warm welcome to the 2014-2015 academic year at Mitchell College! We look forward to helping you chart your course of study for the year ahead. We think of the Mitchell College Course Catalog 2014–15 as part of an active “Academic GPS System” to plan your academic journey. This tool is a virtual road map, with signposts — such as First-Year Experience (FYE) and Ability Based Education (ABE) — that give clear direction to the Mitchell experience. Like a road map, there are many pathways to reach your destination, and this course catalog will help you envision the many ways to reach your goals. Yet just as a GPS device checks in frequently to determine progress along the path and recalibrate as necessary, at Mitchell College, we continually listen to the particular needs, styles, and abilities of each of our students, and help them make adjustments along the way. Mitchell faculty members are not only masters of the content outlined in each course description, they are also committed to guiding and teaching students in the way that suits them best. In essence: “How do you learn? That’s how we teach.” In my first year as president, I am starting this journey with you. Whether you join me as a student new to Mitchell, as a sophomore driving toward a major, as a junior rallying ahead in your area of study, or as a senior looking at the final leg, the academic year ahead will transport us all in ways that are hard to fully imagine. In the words of leadership guru Peter F. Drucker, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” I look forward to charting these paths with you in 2014–15 and beyond. Warm regards, Janet L. Steinmayer, J.D. President 4 MISSION STATEMENT & CORE VALUES Mitchell College is a national leader in learning engagement within a student-centered community that maximizes each student’s ability to succeed. Approved by the Board of Trustees on May 11, 2012. VISION 2020 Mitchell College will continue to grow as a national leader in providing extraordinary academic and student support through strong individual and personal connections. Mitchell College will expand its capacity to deliver innovative and engaging academic and co-curricular programs to traditional and non-traditional students who aspire to a better future. CORE VALUES Mitchell College Core Values provide the foundation for a transformational learning experience. Individuality Mitchell College believes the unique contribution of each member of our community creates a path to growth and accomplishment. Inclusion Mitchell College fully embraces and supports diversity of thought, culture, ideas, experiences and talents. Involvement Mitchell College believes that contributing to academic and student life, and to the community at large, develops life-long abilities and inspires all of us to improve our evolving world. Innovation Mitchell College commits to positive change, using bold and creative strategies to connect our students to the world. Integrity Mitchell College values a learning-centered tradition emphasizing fairness, honesty, principle and character. These values are the foundation of all we do; guiding our decisions and actions now and in the future. 5 HISTORY OF MItcHELL COLLEGE On September 14, 1938, a group of New Dr. Joseph V. Medeiros, a member of the London, Connecticut citizens founded New English Department for many years and former London Junior College as a private, nonprofit, superintendent of schools in New London succeeded coeducational, two-year college in their community. him on an interim basis. In September, 1990, Dr. David A. Sandell, former academic dean at the The trustees elected Dr. Richard P. Saunders, who had U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Research Project been instrumental in the founding of the college, as Analyst at Pfizer Inc., was appointed to succeed its first president. The College opened its doors to the Dr. Medeiros. Dr. Sandell served until 1994. first freshman class on Sept. 18, 1939. There followed three and a half years of development and successful Dr. Mary Ellen Jukoski joined Mitchell College as operation. During the fall term of 1942-43, nearly Dean of the College in 1990 and served as acting all of our male students entered the armed services, president in 1994. She was appointed president in and the United States Army and Coast Guard 1995 and served until June of 2014. Dr. Jukoski’s made urgent demands for the use of our facilities. tenure saw the College transition to a four-year After a study of the problem, we elected to disband baccalaureate program and confer its first bachelor day classes and convert our facilities to war uses. degrees in May of 2000. The college also launched Thames Academy, a post-secondary certificate Ernest Nibbs was elected acting president to succeed program, and joined the NCAA Division III. President Saunders in December of 1943 and served until March of 1945. Anita L. Simpson, former After an extensive national search, Dr. Janet L. dean of the College, served as acting president Steinmayer was selected to serve as Mitchell College’s from March, 1945, to February, 1946, when Dr. seventh president on July 1, 2014. Dr. Steinmayer Tyrus Hillway became president. A special summer has a unique background in higher education and session for veterans began in June, 1946, and business and will build on Mitchell’s recognized regular classes resumed in September of that year. leadership in providing academic, personal, and career success to students with diverse talents and In 1950 the name Mitchell College was officially learning styles. adopted by the trustees to honor the descendants of the Alfred Mitchell family, principal Today, Mitchell College is a thriving institution of benefactors of the College since its founding. higher education that grants both associate and baccalaureate degrees to students from the greater Dr. Robert C. Weller began his administration in New London community, as well as from across the June of 1951, bringing to the campus a background nation and around the world. of educational and industrial experience. The high quality of Mitchell’s academic program was recognized in 1956 when we were awarded membership in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Upon his retirement on July 31, 1987, Dr. Weller was succeeded until January, 1990 by Dr. Bruce R. Swinburne, former vice-president for student affairs at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 6 ADMISSION TO MItcHELL COLLEGE Admission Policy 2. Forward an official record of work completed Our admissions requirements are designed to help at the secondary school attended (and all post- the College select those students best able to benefit secondary institutions attended) to the Mitchell from the educational experiences at Mitchell College. College Admissions Office. They must include Our basic admissions requirement is that students a certified translation for all documents in have graduated from high school or its equivalent. languages other than English. In all cases, we consider academic performance and potential and recommendations.